Ray W. James

Mr. Ray W. James, 86, died Monday, April 12, 2021 at Tucker Hospice in Kannapolis, NC after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Mr. James was born on August 7, 1934, in King, NC., the son of the late Marshall L. James and Mae Sizemore James. 

Following his graduation from King High School he entered the Army and served with the Army Security Agency in Okinawa during 1955 and 1956.  Upon his discharge from service, he went to work as an agent with the Durham Life Ins. Co. in Winston-Salem.  During his thirty-eight-year service with the company he served as agency manager in Winston-Salem, and Manager of the Asheville, Charlotte, and Salisbury offices.  When he retired, he was the Senior Manager with the company.  Mr. James was a loyal employee earning the company’s highest recognition twenty-six years. He was a graduate of LUTC and LIMRA.  He was a member of NALU for thirty-five years and served on the Board of Directors of his local chapter in Winston-Salem, President of the Asheville chapter, Board of Directors of the Charlotte Chapter and President to the Salisbury Chapter.

Mr. James was very involved in civic and community affairs and served the cities where he worked and lived.  He was President of the South Fork PTA in Winston-Salem, Chairman of the Asheville -Buncombe County United Way, Board of Directors Asheville Lions Club, Board of Directors of the Workshop for The Blind, and President of the Matthews Lions Club.  He was a long-time member of Poplar Springs Church of Christ in King, NC.

Mr. James was preceded in death by three brothers: Vestal, Billy and Richard and three sisters: Rachel Ring, Nellie Shinault and Earlene Graham.

He is survived by his wife Patty Gupton James of the home; a son, Gregory Von James, and wife Susan; a daughter, Judith Rae Keane of Mt. Pleasant, SC.; seven grandchildren: Joshua James and wife Becky, Sarah J. Baker and husband Adam, Zachary James and wife Cherylanne, Benjamin, Joseph, Ethan, and Caleb Keane of Mt. Pleasant, SC; two great grandchildren: Oliver James and Harrison James; two brothers: Odis M. James and wife Linda of King, and Frank L. James of Rural Hall.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at Gospel Lighthouse Church: 453 Concordia Church Rd. China Grove, NC 28023, officiated by Minister Leroy Blankenship. 

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at Poplar Springs Church of Christ cemetery, with Minister Leroy Blankenship and Minister Don Wallace officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Poplar Springs Church of Christ Building Fund: 7120 NC 66 Hwy. King, NC 27021.

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